Written question asked by Graham Riddick (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 March 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: How many Challenger 2 tanks he expects will be delivered to the Army in the next five years. - Inc ref to 284 c7-8W. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Riddick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Challenger 2 tanks he expects will be delivered to the Army in the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [18059] Mr. Arbuthnot: An order for a further 259 Challenger 2 main battle tanks was placed with Vickers plc in July 1994, bringing the total ordered to 386. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence informed the House on 24 October 1996, Official Report, columns 7-8, that the in-service date for Challenger 2 would be June 1998. Thirty-six tanks have already been delivered and I expect the remainder to have been delivered to the Army by February 2002.

Secondary information